Spelltouch

(See also: Spelltouch)

This spell, cast on a nonliving item, allows any spell of 3rd level or less cast on it in the following round to remain dormant until the item touches a target creature. The item affected must be of less weight and volume than the caster.

The caster can specify what race and sex, or type (undead, summoned, living, avian, and so on) of creature will trigger or be affected by the second spell. The second spell is unleashed by contact between the item and the triggering creature. Any saving throw allowed by the stored spell are resolved normally. For example, a gem set into a throne could unleash a fireball spell when triggered by the touch of a guard. (“A living human male” or “female” can be specified, but not “a wizard” or “the king.”)

During the casting, the caster can specify a single type of being as immune to the spell. An immune being will not trigger the stored spell and, if in the unleashed spell's area of effect, gains a +4 bonus to any saving throw the unleashed spell allows. An item can bear only one spelltouch effect or equivalent. The caster need not know or be able to cast the second spell; this may be done by another caster.

The material components of this spell are a pinch of powdered gemstone (of 200 gp value per level of the stored spell) and a pinch of the ash left by any fire created or augmented by a spell, combined with a drop of water and touched to the item during the casting. The components of the stored spell are also required. The item must be purified and magically prepared for the casting, a process that takes a full week per level of the stored spell.